Translation guide
The quality of being unpleasantly rough, severe, or cruel. This guide covers how to express harshness in Japanese across different contexts: physical roughness, severe criticism, strict treatment, and unpleasant sensory experiences.
Describing rules, discipline, punishment, or conditions that are very strict, severe, or unforgiving.
The most common and versatile noun for 'harshness' in the sense of strictness, severity, or rigor. Used for rules, discipline, criticism, and conditions.
彼の指導の厳しさは有名だ。
The harshness of his coaching is famous.
この学校の規則の厳しさには驚いた。
I was surprised by the harshness of this school's rules.
Emphasizes extreme harshness, cruelty, or severity, often of conditions or treatment. Stronger than 厳しさ.
砂漠の環境の過酷さは想像を絶する。
The harshness of the desert environment is unimaginable.
Literary term for intense harshness or severity, often used for criticism, attacks, or conditions.
その批評の苛烈さに作家は沈黙した。
The writer fell silent at the harshness of the criticism.
Describing something physically rough to the touch, or a voice that is grating or unpleasant.
Refers to physical roughness or coarseness of a surface, texture, or granularity. Also used for rough quality of work or sound.
この紙の粗さが気に入らない。
I don't like the harshness (roughness) of this paper.
彼の声の粗さが耳障りだ。
The harshness of his voice is grating.
Describes a gritty, rough texture, like sandpaper. Often used for skin or surfaces.
このクリームは肌のざらつきをなくす。
This cream removes the harshness (roughness) of the skin.
Literally 'something hard on the ears', used for harsh or unpleasant sounds.
その音楽の耳障りなことといったらなかった。
The harshness of that music was unbearable.
Describing language that is severe, cutting, or unkind.
Specifically refers to harshness of criticism or scolding. Implies sharp, unsparing words.
彼の言葉の手厳しさに彼女は泣き出した。
She burst into tears at the harshness of his words.
Describes biting, acerbic harshness in remarks or criticism. Often used for sarcasm or sharp wit.
彼の冗談には辛辣さが感じられる。
You can feel the harshness in his jokes.
Literally 'poison tongue', refers to harsh, malicious, or vitriolic speech. Often used for someone known for sharp criticism.
Describing something visually glaring or unpleasantly intense, or weather that is severe.
Also used for harshness of natural conditions like climate or light. Very versatile.
冬の寒さの厳しさは身にしみる。
The harshness of the winter cold cuts to the bone.
日差しの厳しさで目がくらんだ。
I was dazzled by the harshness of the sunlight.
Emphasizes intensity or fierceness, often for light, heat, or color.
その絵の色彩の強烈さに圧倒された。
I was overwhelmed by the harshness (intensity) of the colors in that painting.
厳しさ is the general term for strictness or severity, and can be used in many contexts. 過酷さ implies extreme, often cruel harshness, and is used for conditions like weather, labor, or punishment that are almost unbearable.
訓練の厳しさに耐える。
Endure the harshness of the training.
過酷な労働条件。
Harsh working conditions.
The English loanword ハーシュネス is not commonly used in Japanese. Use the native terms above instead.
あの評論家の毒舌は有名だ。
That critic's harshness (vitriol) is famous.